Bioelectricity impedance measuring device, a malnutrition measurement system, a malnutrition measurement method

ABSTRACT

A bioelectricity impedance measuring device includes a contact surface put to one part of the body, gripper, and electrodes of a contact surface. In addition, the bioelectricity impedance measuring device further includes a malnutrition measuring device which measures malnutrition is provided. A malnutrition measuring device measures Phase angle theta and/or a RcXc ratio, and measures a nutrient state. A malnutrition measuring device judges a state of malnutrition from a value of Phase angle theta. It is available to display a judged result with a bar classified by display method by color. In addition, it can have further a muscular volume measuring method which measures muscular volume, and this muscular volume measuring method can measure muscular volume also to a child aged 5 and below or an old man aged 60 and over.

CROSS REFERENCE OF THE INVENTION

JP2007-150323

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Especially this invention relates to the bioelectricity impedancemeasuring device, malnutrition measurement system, and malnutritionmeasuring method which can measure malnutrition.

2. Background of the Invention

Also in recent years, 60 million or more children of the malnutrition ofless than 5 years old are in the world, and 5 million people die everyyear because of the poverty in developing countries and the home abuse,anorexia, or the like in advanced nations.

The demand of nutrition and supply which need malnutrition for growth ofthe body, maintenance, and activity are defined as a state out ofbalance.

In order to measure this malnutrition, the MUAC method which measures anupper arm circumference exists.

(as refer to, the work by Doctors Without Borders, “a malnutrition guide(introductory edition)”, see“http://www.msf.or.jp/pressroom/img_press_report/pdf/pressMalnutritionj.pdf”).

Although the MUAC method can measure malnutrition simply to a child aged5 and below, an upper arm circumference changes a size between ashoulder and an elbow, and since an error by measuring person is alsolarge, there is a problem that repeatability is not so high.

Therefore, a demand exist for an equipment that can be done themeasurement of malnutrition accurately with high repeatability.

Here, a former body composition monitor by a bioelectricity impedancemeasuring device currently used can measure accurately weight, amount ofbody fat, and muscular volume.

However, the body composition monitor that measures in a standingposition is in use, and the object which is hard to hold a standingposition posture according to malnutrition and illness cannot bemeasured.

In the case of the body composition monitor of a standing position, itcannot be used for an object living with bare feet and the sole haskeratinized.

Therefore, as a bioelectricity impedance measuring device which can beused for objects other than a standing position, for example, it ispossible to use the body composition monitor, which pushes an electrodeagainst the upper arm part, as indicated to patent documents 1(hereafter, it is called to conventional technology 1.)

[Patent Documents 1]

JP, 2001-299717, A

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Problem(s) to be Solved by the Invention

However, formerly, since the body composition monitor of patentdocuments 1 was targeting an adult about measurement of amount of bodyfat and muscular volume, it was not able to measure infants.

Also, it had a problem that amount of body fat and muscular volume mightnot always correlate to acute malnutrition by starvation. In cibophobiaand anorexia nervosa, there was a problem that measuring weight andlooking at amount of body fat puts stress on a patient.

For this reason, the bioelectricity impedance measuring device for whichmeasurement is possible with the different scale involving malnutritionwas desired.

This invention is made in view of such a situation, and makes it asubject to cancel an above-mentioned subject.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bioelectricity impedance measuring device of this invention isprovided with a malnutrition measuring means which is a bioelectricityimpedance measuring device which equips housing with a contact surfaceassigned to a part of the body, and gripper, and equips a uniformdirection with an electrode from both ends of the gripper, and measuresmalnutrition.

A bioelectricity impedance measuring device of this invention iscomprised so that a concave might be formed with the gripper, and thecontact surface might be projected from both ends of the gripper to auniform direction and it might have an electrode. A bioelectricityimpedance measuring device of this invention is characterized by themalnutrition measuring means being a means which measures Phase angletheta and/or a RcXc ratio, and measures a nutrient state.

A bioelectricity impedance measuring device of this invention isprovided with a means by which the malnutrition measuring means judges astate of malnutrition from a value of Phase angle theta.

A bioelectricity impedance measuring device of this invention isprovided with a means to display the judged result with a bar classifiedby display method by color.

A bioelectricity impedance measuring device of this invention is furtherprovided with a muscular volume measuring means which measures muscularvolume.

As for a bioelectricity impedance measuring device of this invention,the muscular volume measuring means is provided with data formeasurement of muscular volume to a child aged 5 and below or an old managed 60 and over.

The bioelectricity impedance measuring device of this invention cancarry out measurement of a nutrient state, and/or measurement ofmuscular volume with sex and/or height, and an individual parameter ofage.

A bioelectricity impedance measuring device of this invention ischaracterized by holding and carrying single hand being available and itbeing available to measure malnutrition.

A bioelectricity impedance measurement system of this invention is amalnutrition measurement system containing a bioelectricity impedancemeasuring device which equips housing with a contact surface assigned toa part of the body, and gripper, and equips a uniform direction with anelectrode from both ends of the gripper, and other computers, and datawas received from a bioelectricity impedance measuring device providedwith a malnutrition measuring means which measures malnutrition, and theimpedance measurement device, and it had a memory measure which canmemorize temporal data via communication.

A malnutrition measuring method of this invention judges a nutrientstate from Phase angle theta and/or a RcXc ratio with an electricalimpedance measuring device which can be carried, measures muscularvolume simultaneously, and measures a state of malnutrition.

Effect of the Invention

According to this invention, the bioelectricity impedance measuringdevice which can measure malnutrition can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external component of thebioelectricity impedance measuring device related to an embodiment ofthe invention from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external component of thebioelectricity impedance measuring device as shown in FIG. 1 from theother side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing indications that bioelectricityimpedance is measured by using the bioelectricity impedance measuringdevice as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of thebioelectricity impedance measuring device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart in which an outline of the measurement procedureof the malnutrition and an operation by the bioelectricity impedancemeasuring device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart in which an outline of the procedure ofmeasurement of the malnutrition and muscular volume and operation by thebioelectricity impedance measuring device as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the example of an indication as aresult of measurement of the malnutrition and measurement of muscularvolume by the bioelectricity impedance measuring device related to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is the graph which shows the correlation of the nutrient statewhich is measured by the MUAC method and Phase angle theta related to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is the graph which shows correlation of impedance of theheight̂2/left arm and muscular volume of the whole body aged 10 and belowand aged 60 and over, which is related to the embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10 is the graph which shows the relation of a girl's bodycomposition and Phase angle theta related to the example of anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a representative circuit schematic showing bioelectricityimpedance.

FIG. 12 is the graph charts showing a bioelectricity impedance vectorlocus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Best Mode of Carrying Out theInvention Embodiment

The suitable embodiment of this invention is described based on adrawing in the following.

At first, the embodiment of the measurement of malnutrition by thebioelectricity impedance measurement concerning an embodiment of theinvention is described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing external composition of abioelectricity impedance measuring device involving an embodiment of theinvention from a front side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing external composition of abioelectricity impedance measuring device shown in FIG. 1 from thebehind side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing indications that bioelectricityimpedance is measured by using a bioelectricity impedance measuringdevice as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, this measuring device 40 is grasped by single handand put to an upper arm part, and it measures bioelectricity impedance;and it is similar to a receiver of deferred type telephone provided withcylindrical gripper 42 which has the sectional shape of about squareshapes, and two spurs which distort from both ends of gripper 42,project to a uniform direction, and have a contact surface so thatconcave 43 being formed with gripper 42.

(External Component of a Bioelectricity Impedance Measuring Device)

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this measuring device 40 is provided withalmost palm-sized housing 41 with carrying by single hand easily.

Housing 41 is provided with contact surface 44 put to an upper arm partand gripper 42 grasped single hand. Contact surface 44 is equippedfixedly with one pair of cylindrical voltage measurement electrodes 45 aand 45 b and one pair of cylindrical measuring-electric-currentapplicators 46 a and 46 b which are prolonged along contact surface 44so that each may intersect perpendicularly to a longer direction ofhousing 41, and one pair of circular electrodes 47 a and 47 b forcharge.

One pair of measuring-electric-current applicators 46 a and 46 b arelocated so that one pair of voltage measurement electrodes 45 a and 45 bmay be inserted in between, and one pair of electrodes 47 a and 47 b forcharge are located so that one pair of voltage measurement electrodes 45a and 45 b and one pair of measuring-electric-current applicators 46 aand 46 b may be inserted.

These three pairs of electrodes 47 a, 46 a, 45 a, 45 b, 46 b, and 47 bare located so that it may line up almost linear with a longer directionof housing 41.

It is formed so that gripper 42 may be made into form to grasp by singlehand easily.

In a surface of the opposite side of contact surface 44 of housing 41,it is provided with display screen 48 (display method) which is a liquidcrystal display or an organic electroluminescence display or the likewith which operation guidance, a measuring situation, a test result, acalculated result, or the like, are displayed, and operation key 49 forinputting a control instruction of this measuring device 40, anindividual parameter of measuring person required for measurement, orthe like.

This measuring device 40 is charged by performing contact surface 44toward bottom, putting this measuring device 40 on a predeterminedposition of charger 80, and contacting one pair of electrodes 47 a and47 b for charge to one pair of electrodes corresponding to these (notshown,) which is equipped in charger 80.

Charger 80 is provided with AC cord 81. Although not illustrated, a plugwhich can be plug into an electric socket of the usual household powersupply is attached at an end of AC cord 81.

(Internal Configuration)

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram showing an internal configuration of abioelectricity impedance measuring device as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, an internal configuration of this measuring device40 is divided into the 1st block that mainly carries out control,operation, and an input/output of data, and the 2nd block that mainlycarries out bioelectricity impedance measurement and conversion to adigital signal from an analog signal; and these blocks are stored inhousing 41.

The 1st block comprises the following:

Operation and control device 51 which carry out control aboutmeasurement, processing of measurement data, or the like;

ROM52 which memorizes control and a program for operation, malnutritionmeasurement program 200 used by this embodiment, muscular volumemeasurement program 210, a data table, regression, a constant, or thelike;

RAM53 which memorizes temporarily measurement data, a calculated result,data read from the outside, a program, or the like;

Auxiliary storage 54 which is a nonvolatile flash memory, SRAM, or thelike and is able to memorize, read-out, and update about measurementdata, a calculated result, and a parameter about an measurement, or thelike;

Display 55 which is connected to display screen 48 and display screen 48being made to display operation guidance, a measuring situation, a testresult, a calculated result, or the like;

External I/O interface 56 which outputs a parameter about measurement, atest result, or the like to an external device, and reads a parameterabout measurement, control information at the time of measurement, acontrol program, or the like into this measuring device 40 from anexternal device;

External interface terminal 57 which is for connecting external I/Ointerface 56 and an external device; Key input device 58 which isconnected to operation key 49 and generates input, such as a controlinstruction of this measuring device 40, and an individual parameter ofmeasuring person required for measurement, in response to a push-down ofoperation key 49;

Clocking device 59 which obtains an hour entry for managing time ofmeasurement, or the like;

Communication apparatus 60 which transmits and receives a measured valueand a parameter or the like computed from the measured value among othercomputers via a telephone line or LAN (local area network,) or by usingwireless communications of wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registeredtrademark), and a radio USB or the like;

Electric power unit 61 which is charged via one pair of electrodes 47 aand 47 b for charge, or starts or suspends an electric power supply toeach part of this measuring device by receiving input generated in keyinput device 58 by push-down of operation key 49; and

Terminals 62 a and 62 b for charge which connect one pair of electrodes47 a and 47 b for charge, and electric power unit 61.

The 2nd block comprises the following:

Alternating current signal generator 63 which generates an alternatingcurrent signal of frequency arranged by a control program memorized byROM52 or RAM53;

AC output unit 64 which makes an alternating current signal outputtedfrom alternating current signal generator 63 into an alternating currentsignal of an effective value decided by a control program memorized byROM52 or RAM53;

Standard current detection device 65 which detects current which flowsthrough measuring person and is outputted as a standard currentdetecting signal;

One pair of AC output terminals 66 a and 66 b which outputs AC suppliedvia standard current detection device 65 from AC output unit 64, The 1stA/D conversion equipment 67 which changes an analog signal which is anoutput of standard current detection device 65 into a digital signal;

One pair of voltage measurement terminals 68 a and 68 b which inputs twopotential signals of measuring person;

Potential difference sensing device 69 which outputs a differentialsignal of a potential signal between one pair of voltage measurementterminals 68 a and 68 b; and the 2nd A/D conversion equipment 70 whichchanges an analog signal which is an output of potential differencesensing device 69 into a digital signal.

One pair of AC output terminals 66 a and 66 b are connected to one pairof measuring-electric-current applicators 46 a and 46 b, and one pair ofvoltage measurement terminals 68 a and 68 b are connected to one pair ofvoltage measurement electrodes 45 a and 45 b.

[Measurement of Malnutrition]

A measurement procedure of a bioelectricity impedance measuring deviceand an outline of operation which were shown in FIG. 2 and measurementof malnutrition related to an embodiment of the invention are explainedwith reference to FIG. 5 which is a flow chart.

At first, when measuring person carry out the push-down of the operationkey 49, initialization of this measuring device 40 inner part is carriedout, and an initial screen which is not illustrated is displayed ondisplay screen 48.

(Step S101)

Then, in Step S101, measuring person or a being-measured person inputssex of a being-measured person which is an individual parameter.

Operation key 49 may be equipped with a specific sex button about aninput of sex.

About this data of sex, operation and control device 51 memorize toRAM53.

(Step S102)

Then, in Step S102, with directions of measuring person or abeing-measured person, operation and control device 51 is interlockedwith the mechanism of the 2nd block and measures bioelectricityimpedance (BI: Bioelectric Impedance).

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, measuring person grasp this measuring device40 (when a being-measured person measures by himself, it is singlehand), puts contact surface 44 to an upper arm part of thebeing-measured person, and contacts two pairs of electrodes 46 a, 45 a,45 b, and 46 b to an upper arm part of a being-measured person.

And according to a display of display screen 48, operation key 49 ispressed by a fingertip of a hand which is grasping this measuring device40, and directions of a measurement start are inputted.

Because this measuring device 40 is almost palm size which can carryingby single hand easily and is provided with gripper 42 which made intoform easily to grasp by single hand, measuring person can grasp thismeasuring device 40 by single hand very easily as applying finger(s) toconcave 43. An input of directions of a measurement start will measurebioelectricity impedance as follows in Step S102.

Firstly, output signal frequency is set to alternating current signalgenerator 63 based on gauge control parameters (frequency, voltage, orthe like) memorized to ROM 52 previously or memorized to RAM 53 fromauxiliary storage 54 or external I/O interface 56; and an output signalfrom alternating current signal generator 63 is outputted to AC outputunit 64.

Then, based on a gauge control parameter, an output current value is setas a constant current output circuit of AC output unit 64, An outputfrom AC output unit 64 passes sequentially to standard current detectiondevice 65, one pair of AC output terminals 66 a and 66 b, and one pairof measuring-electric-current applicators 46 a and 46 b; and they areapplied to a being-measured person. At this time, current which flowsinto a being-measured person is detected by standard current detectiondevice 65, and an output of that analog signal is converted into adigital signal by the 1st A/D conversion equipment 67.

Then, an output of the digital signal is memorized to RAM 53.

Simultaneously, two potential signals of a being-measured person passone pair of voltage measurement electrodes 45 a and 45 b, and one pairof voltage measurement terminals 68 a and 68 b sequentially, and theyare inputted into potential difference sensing device 69; and bypotential difference sensing device 69, a differential signal of aninputted potential signal is outputted to the 2nd A/D conversionequipment 70.

In the 2nd A/D conversion equipment 70, the differential signal which isan analog signal is changed into a digital signal, and an output of thedigital signal is memorized to RAM 53.

Thus, based on a gauge control parameter, duplicate measurement of thebioelectricity impedance is carried out for frequency Fi (i=1, 2, . . ., n). Then, from bioelectricity impedance measured value measured atStep S102, a bioelectricity impedance vector locus and parameter(s)about it is computed.

Usually, as shown in FIG. 11, although bioelectricity impedance isexpressed in an equivalent circuit which is described as concentratedconstant for extracellular fluid resistance Re, intracellular fluidresistance Ri, and cell membrane capacity Cm, in fact, since each cellcomprising a living body is expressed in a circuit having differentconstants, respectively, by the difference in form and character, in aliving body which is the aggregate, a bioelectricity impedance vectorlocus does not serve as a semicircle, for example, at the time ofmeasuring an equivalent circuit by a concentrated constant, it issupposed that it will become a circle according to a Cole-Cole circulararc law.

Therefore, generally, bioelectricity impedance draws a circular locus asshown in FIG. 12.

Here, the X-axis shows a resistance component of bioelectricityimpedance, and a Y-axis shows a reactance component of bioelectricityimpedance.

Because a reactance component of bioelectricity impedance is capacitiveand shows a negative value, a bioelectricity impedance vector locus islocated under the X-axis; and from assumption that a bioelectricityimpedance vector locus for determining is a circle, in each of FrequencyF1, F2, . . . , FN, bioelectricity impedance measured value Z1, Z2, . .. , ZN is on the circumference of a certain circle.

Here, when X coordinate of the center of a circle is “a,” Y coordinateof the center of the circle is “b,” radius of the circle is “r,” anequation of a circle which passes along bioelectricity impedancemeasured value is shown such as equation 1.

(X−a)̂2+(Y−b)̂2=r̂2  (equation 1)

“a,” “b,” and “r” is determined by substituting bioelectricity impedancemeasured value Z1, Z2, . . . , ZN for frequency F1, F2, . . . , FN, toequation 1.

Also, X is shown by equations 1 as follows.

X=a±sqrt(r̂2−b̂2)  (equation 2)

sqrt( ) shows a square root.

Also, intersection of a circle and the X-axis, R0 and Rinf (R0>Rinf),expressed with equation 1, are calculated as follows by equation 2.

R0=a+sqrt(r̂2−b̂2)  (equation 3)

Rinf=a−sqrt(r̂2−b̂2)  (equation 4)

Re and Ri in the equivalent circuit of FIG. 11 are calculated as followsby equation 3 and equation 4.

Re=R0  (equation 5)

Ri=R0*Rinf/(R0−Rinf)  (equation 6)

Because bioelectricity impedance vector Zc in characteristic frequencyFc is the point that an absolute value of a reactance component, thatis, Y axial component, becomes the maximum,

X coordinate value which is a resistance component in that case, and Ycoordinate value which is reactance components are computed as follows.

X=a  (equation 7)

Y=b−r  (equation 8)

Here, when Rc is a resistance component of Zc, and Xc is a reactancecomponent of Zc, Zc is shown as follows.

Zc=Rc+j*Xc=a+j*(b−r)  (equation 9)

Also, when Z (omega) is a bioelectricity impedance vector in omega andtau and beta are constants, by Cole-Cole circular arc law, thebioelectricity impedance vector in any circular frequency omega is shownas follows.

Z(omega)=(R0−Rinf)/{1+(j*omega*tau)*beta}  (equation 10)

Equation 10 is shown as follows as tau=1/omega*c.

Z(omega)=(R0−Rinf)/{1+((j*omega)/(omega*c))*beta}  (equation 11)

Here, since omega*c=2*pi*Fc, Fc and beta are determined by usingbioelectricity impedance measured value measured previously.

As mentioned above, based on the bioelectricity impedance vector locus,which is calculated from bioelectricity impedance measured value, theparameter about it, which are R0, Rinf, Re, and Ri, Zc, Rc, Xc, Fc, orthe like, the amounts of body compositions, such as extracellular fluidvolume, intracellular fluid volume, body water volume (sum ofextracellular fluid volume and intracellular fluid volume), amount ofbody fat, and a fat-free mass (difference of weight and amount of bodyfat), are computed; and also, from the computed amount of bodycompositions, ratio of Intracellular fluid volume versus extracellularfluid volume, ratio of extracellular fluid volume versus body watervolume, dehydration state determined by body water volume ratio, ratioof body fat, or the like, are computable.

(Step S103)

Then, in Step S103, in order to measure malnutrition related to anembodiment of the invention,

By malnutrition measurement program 200 (malnutrition measuring means)memorized in ROM52, operation and control device 51 compute, forexample, the value called Phase angle theta or a RcXc ratio from anabove-mentioned parameter (R0 . . . Fc, or the like).

Hereafter, operation and control device 51 execute malnutritionmeasurement program 200 to Step S105.

It turns out that Phase angle theta and the RcXc ratio can measure astate of malnutrition correlated with acute malnutrition.

As explained with reference to FIG. 8, an upper arm circumferencemeasured by the above-mentioned MUAC method, which is the X-axis, andPhase angle theta, which is Y-axes, show extremely good correlation ofR=0.901 and P<0.001.

Here, Phase angle theta related to an embodiment of the invention iscomputed by the following equation from above-mentioned Rc and Xc.

Theta=a tan(Xc/Rc)*180/pi  (equation 12)

a tan( ) is a function which determines an angle of a radian unit by arctangent.

In order to use a nutrient state criterion simpler, the following RcXcratio eta is computable with the following equations.

Eta=Xc/Rc  (equation 13)

(Step S104)

Then, operation and control device 51 judge a nutrient state by Phaseangle theta or RcXc ratio eta calculated at Step S103.

Here, in an embodiment of the invention, with regression which usedpositive correlation as shown in FIG. 8, values of Phase angle theta orvalues of RcXc ratio thetas and etas, which are equivalent to values ofan upper arm circumference corresponding to several steps of statesbeing from acute malnutrition with death possibility to normal, arememorized to a data table for malnutrition measurement program 200 inROM52 as threshold value(s).

A nutrient state is judged by comparing value(s) of Phase angle theta orRcXc ratio eta calculated for measurement with threshold value thetasand etas for this data table.

Accordingly, an index showing directly whether malnutrition or not(normal state) can be obtained.

As refer to FIG. 7, for example, because value thetas of Phase angletheta equivalent to an upper arm circumference of 14 cm, which is in anormal state, is 4, operation and control device 51 judges it as normalstate, if a value of obtained Phase angle theta is four or more.

(Step S105)

Then, in Step S105, operation and control device 51 display a result ofa judgment of a nutrient state of Step S104 on display screen 48.

As this indication, while displaying a value of Phase angle theta orRcXc ratio eta, for example, by drawing an indication of a green bar,and the indication which measuring person can easily recognize visuallyand intuitively can be given.

As an example as shown in FIG. 7A, when it classifies by color anddisplays, such as, green as normal, yellow as risk of malnutrition,orange as malnutrition of a degree in the middle, red as seriousmalnutrition and danger with death, and it is suitable because measuringperson understands and interpret easily.

For example, if a value of Phase angle theta being 2, since it isequivalent to malnutrition and is “there is danger of malnutrition”, ayellow bar of display screen 48 can be turned on.

As the mechanism for urging cautions to measuring person which diagnosemany children more, when it is “serious malnutrition and those of deathwith danger” (it is equivalent to acute malnutrition) which areextremely malnutrition, it is also available to notify about by buzzer,a sound effect, blink of the drawn bar, or the like. After a procedureof the above measurement is completed, measuring person turn off thismeasuring device 40, and end measurement.

A test result of an above-mentioned nutrient state is printable with aprinter or the like which are not illustrated; and also data of thistest result is memorized to auxiliary storage 54, or it can read with PC(personal computer) or the like via communication apparatus 60.

Since this data is, for example, a text file which tab-delimited, CSV(comma pause), or the like, which can utilize without difficulty, it isuseful for measurement of a plurality of children's malnutrition.

[Nutrition Evaluation and a Muscular Volume Display]

Subsequently, simultaneously with measurement of malnutrition related toan embodiment of the invention, when also displaying muscular volume, ameasurement procedure and an outline of operation for this measuringdevice 40 are explained with reference to a flow chart of FIG. 6.

At first, it is the same as that of above-mentioned case where onlymeasurement of malnutrition is carried out: when a being-measured personcarries out the push-down of the operation key 49, initialization ofthis measuring device 40 inner part is carried out, and the initialscreen which is not illustrated is displayed on display screen 48.

(Step S201)

Then, in Step S201, measuring person or a being-measured person inputssex of a being-measured person which is an individual parameter as wellas above-mentioned step S101.

(Step S202)

Subsequently, in Step S202, measuring person or a being-measured personinputs a birth date of a being-measured person.

This is because information on a birth date (age) of a being-measuredperson, which is an individual parameter, is required in order tocompute muscular volume.

(Step S203)

Then, in Step S203, measuring person or a being-measured person inputsheight of a being-measured person. This is because information ofheight, which is an individual parameter, is also required aboutcalculation of muscular volume.

About height, a result of height measurement of a height scale, which isnot illustrated, may be inputted via communication apparatus 60.

About the above individual parameter, operation and control device 51memorize to RAM 53.

The object transmitted from PC is also memorizable to RAM 53 viacommunication apparatus 60.

(Step S204)

Then, in Step S204, measuring person or a being-measured person measuresbioelectricity impedance (BI) as like Step S102.

As mentioned above, based on a bioelectricity impedance vector locuswhich are calculated from bioelectricity impedance measured value andparameter about it, R0, Rinf, and Re, with Ri, Zc, Rc, Xc, Fc, or thelike, it is computed the amounts of body compositions, such asextracellular fluid volume, intracellular fluid volume, body watervolume (sum of extracellular fluid volume and intracellular fluidvolume), amount of body fat, and a fat-free mass (difference of weightand amount of body fat); and from the computed amount of bodycompositions, Intracellular-fluid-volume versusextracellular-fluid-volume ratio, Extracellular-fluid-volume versus bodywater volume ratio, Dehydration determined by a body water volume ratio,a ratio of body fat, or the like can be computed.

(Step S205)

Then, in Step S205, operation and control device 51 compute muscularvolume or resistance by muscular volume measurement program 210(muscular volume measuring means) in ROM52.

The artificer of this invention researches wholeheartedly, aboutcalculation of muscular volume, as refer to FIG. 9, they ascertainedthat, also about a being-measured person aged 10 and below (a result isshown in FIG. 9A) and aged 60 and over (a result is shown in FIG. 9C),impedance of the height̂2/left arm (or right arm) has strong correlationto muscular volume of the whole body.

It also turns out that especially about a being-measured person aged 5and below (a result is shown in FIG. 9B), impedance of the height̂2/leftarm (or right arm) has strong correlation to muscular volume of thewhole body.

In this measuring device 40, regression or a data table by thesecorrelation is memorized in ROM 52.

Thus, it enables to carry out measurement more exact than theconventional MUAC method about a being-measured person aged 5 and below.

Measurement of muscular volume is accurately available also about achild aged 10 and below in which age is higher than 5 years old, and abeing-measured person aged 60 and over.

Further, because it is also memorized the regression of a being-measuredperson of age of more highly than 10 years old and less than 60 yearsold, muscular volume can be measured to a being-measured person of allthe age.

Because it is available to carry out exact measurement by bioelectricityimpedance measurement if it considers that a stable measurement posturecan be taken, muscular volume can be measured about a newborn infant,even if it is a premature baby or the like.

In this case, a ratio of water content of the body changes according toage, since there are extremely high ratios of water content especiallyamong newborn infants, and reduction continues rapidly until about 1years-old age, and it decreases gently after that, it can measure moreaccurately by carrying out this compensation.

In the case of a newborn infant, since hand and foot are bent, there isa problem that measurement of exact bioelectricity impedance isdifficult.

In this reason, it is preferred that measuring while a newborn infant isin a sleep state, or measuring the newborn infant's hand and foot arelengthened by a method such as using a weight of a sand bag in order tomake he or she take a stable measurement posture.

About calculation of muscular volume of an embodiment of the invention,a value of height̂2/Zc is applied to the regression or the data tablerelated to above-mentioned muscular volume, and it is computed as a LMIvalue (muscular volume/height̂2).

Further, when a threshold value based on above-mentioned graph is set upand is compared with this, by the LMI value, a judgment is carried outcorresponding to muscular volume from “there is a little quite littlemuscular volume” to “normal.”

Also, more simply, regression based on Rc of a being-measured personaged 10 and below and aged 60 and over is prepared; Rc which is themeasured value related to an embodiment of the invention is applied; anda value of resistance equivalent to a LMI value may be computed.

(Step S206)

In Step S206, operation and control device 51 compute Phase angle thetaor RcXc ratio eta by malnutrition measurement program 200 in ROM52 aslike above-mentioned step S103.

(Step S207)

In Step S207, operation and control device 51 judges a nutrient statefrom Phase angle theta or RcXc ratio eta as like above-mentioned stepS104.

(Step S208)

In Step S208, operation and control device 51 displays a value of Phaseangle theta or a value of a RcXc ratio, and a result of a judgment of anutrient state on display screen 48 as like Step S105.

(Step S209)

Then, in Step S209, operation and control device 51 displays muscularvolume on display screen 48.

As refer to FIG. 7B, as well as an indication of a nutrient state at thesame time of displaying a LMI value about muscular volume, for example,when a result of a judgment of a LMI value is displayed by correspondsto the case of “quite small” as in red, the case of “small” as inorange, the case of “slightly small” as in yellow, and the case of“normal” or more as in green.

In the “quite small” case, as like the display of nutrition evaluation,it is also available to tell that for measuring person by a soundeffect, blink, or the like.

Confirming this result, measuring person turn off this measuring device40, and end measurement.

A test result of this muscular volume, as well as a test result ofabove-mentioned malnutrition, can carry out to transmit to a PC or toprint.

By comprising as mentioned above, with measuring device 40 related to anembodiment of the invention, bioelectricity impedance measurement can becarried out and Phase angle theta or a RcXc ratio can be measured.

Thereby, malnutrition can be measured excellent in repeatability ratherthan the conventional MUAC method. Especially, if the length of anelectrode section or a size of equipment is changed, for example,according to objects, such as infants and a 5 years-old child,electrodes will be applied to the same position in each time, and it canalso be measured excellent in repeatability.

It becomes available to obtain an exact measuring result of malnutritionin higher repeatability by measuring malnutrition with this measuringdevice 40 and the MUAC method at the same time.

In addition, since unlike a measuring device of conventional technology1, this measuring device 40 is adjusting each data in ROM 52 so that anelectrode is applied to the upper arm part, higher correlation can beacquired with a result of the MUAC method, which a doctor follows as astandard.

In the case of a small child, since a lower arm is proportional tomuscles of a hand, there is a tendency which increases more than bodilymuscular volume.

However, it becomes available to measure a state of malnutrition moreaccurately by measuring the upper arm part.

Further, although it is described to be executed directly in the insideof ROM 52, malnutrition measurement program 200 and muscular volumemeasurement program 210 may be executed by being read in RAM 53.

This measuring device 40 can measure malnutrition regardless of ameasurement posture (a standing position or a dorsal position).

For this reason, it can be measured malnutrition of a being-measuredperson who is in a bedridden state because of bad nutritional status.

In addition, malnutrition can be measured even in the case ofbeing-measured person who is difficult to measure bioelectricityimpedance because the heel is keratinized by the environment of livingwith bare feet, or the like, or by age.

Since a function that measures malnutrition is added to a smalllightweight measuring device such as this measuring device 40, carryingis convenient.

Thereby, even in the land that is not developed transportationfacilities or is suffered by natural or human disaster, reproducible andexact malnutrition measurement can be carried out simply.

In addition, since this measuring device 40 can also be operated by abattery which is not illustrated, it can be used also in land whereelectricity has not become popular.

Even if it does not carry out inputs, such as height or weight,malnutrition can be measured easy in a short time by using Phase angletheta.

For this reason, when it is necessary to judge a nutrient state to manychildren, such as a refugee camp, it can use efficiently.

In addition, since this measuring device can be visually displayedintelligibly by displaying a judged result of a nutrient state with abar, it becomes available to reduce a possibility that measuring personwill make a grasp mistake, about a measuring result of malnutrition.

Because it measures also about muscular volume based on height, itbecomes available to measure higher-precision malnutrition.

Subsequently, an example is described with reference to FIG. 10, where avalue of Phase angle theta is actually measured with this measuringdevice 40 (a test result is shown in FIG. 10C),

and muscular volume with standard equipment is also measured as acomparison (a test result is shown in FIG. 10B).

FIG. 10 shows graph which shows change for five months of bodycomposition and values of Phase angle theta for a girl who become thinby childcare abandonment.

In each graph, a horizontal axis shows time, and a vertical axis showschange of each value.

The girl has recovered to 34.1 kg in five months, although her weightwas in the state of malnutrition medically in 24.0 kg on the first dayof the measurement (a test result is shown in FIG. 10A).

Actually, it is known that recovering muscles earlier when recoveringmalnutrition.

It turns out that the value of Phase angle theta of lower graph is alsorising with the increase in the muscular volume of the upper graph.

Moreover, after definite recovery, a direction of an increase in fattends to become earlier than an increase in muscular when not carryingout exercise or the like, and it turns out that a value of Phase angletheta is well coherent with an increase in muscular volume.

In addition, measurement of the state of the malnutrition by the valueof Phase angle theta of this measuring device 40 is well coherent alsowith the medical view.

Thus, measuring device 40 applied to an embodiment of the invention cancarry out sequential observation about the improvement of malnutrition.

This is because it can measure about that malnutrition with highrepeatability and a subject's muscular volume can also be measured,simultaneously.

Therefore, it becomes available to perceive the recovery degree frommalnutrition conveniently.

Since prescription can be considered by seeing a recovery degree asrefer to the data of measuring device 40, the burden of measuring personor a doctor is reducible.

Also, this measuring device 40 can be transmitted the measuring resultto other computers which do not illustrate; the other computers areprovided with nonvolatile memory method, such as HDD which is anauxiliary storage; and for this reason, it can carry out checking dataof this sequential observation conveniently.

Further, since measurement of malnutrition is convenient, it is suitablefor pursuing a change with time of a state of malnutrition, and since anumerical value can increase and it can grasp visually with recovery, itis available to promote volition imposed on recovery of measuring personor by recovery a being-measured person.

In addition, unlike the bioelectricity impedance measuring device ofconventional technology 1, this measuring device 40 can be measured alsoabout the muscular volume of a subject including a child and an oldperson.

For this reason, it is enabled by measuring muscular volume in additionto Phase angle theta to grasp a restorative degree more accurately.

Since this measuring device 40 can be measured in a short time, it canmeasure malnutrition also with infants, a person with a large bodymotion, and a person with an intense tremor (tremulus).

Actually, infants, an inpatient, a bedridden patient, anorexia nervosa,or the like, has a high possibility of falling into malnutrition andneeds to ascertainment a nutrient state.

For this reason, in addition to measuring a body fat ratio or the likeby, such as, the body composition monitor of conventional technology 1,this measuring device 40 which measures the exact high malnutrition ofrepeatability is effectively utilizable.

Furthermore, this measuring device 40 does not need special operation;and for this reason, anyone, such as parents, a caregiver, or abeing-measured person himself/herself, who is neither a nurse nor aninspecting engineer, can measure malnutrition.

In addition, because of small equipment, it can be used in variousmeasuring situations, such as a hospital, a house, a medical checkupcenter, an elderly-people institution, and a child welfare institution.

It can be used at any time irrespective of a use situation; and thus,there is the feature that flexibility is high.

Although the thin patient with eating disorders, such as anorexianervosa and anorexia nervosa, has recovered the state of malnutrition,he or she may feel that weight increases for fear, and there is aproblem that he or she does not recover easily.

When using this measuring device 40 for such a patient, in order not tomeasure weight, it becomes available not to give an scary feeling and torecover the state of malnutrition smoothly.

The component and operation of the above-mentioned embodiment are anexample, and it is needless to say that it can change suitably and canperform in the range which does not deviate from the purport of thisinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF NOTATIONS

-   40 Measuring Device-   41 Housing-   42 Gripper-   43 Concave-   44 Contact Surface-   45 a and 45 b Voltage measurement electrode-   46 a and 46 b Measuring-electric-current applicator-   47 a and 47 b Electrode for charge-   48 Display Screen-   49 Operation Key-   51 Operation and Control Device-   52 ROM-   53 RAM-   54 Auxiliary Storage-   55 Display device-   56 External I/O Interface-   57 External Interface Terminal-   58 Key Input Device-   59 Clocking Device-   60 Communication Apparatus-   61 Electric Power Unit-   62 a and 62 b Terminal for charge-   63 Alternating Current Signal Generator-   64 AC Output Unit-   65 Standard Current Detection Device-   66 a and 66 b AC output terminal-   67 1st A/D Conversion Equipment-   68 a and 68 b Voltage measurement terminal-   69 Potential Difference Sensing Device-   70 2nd A/D Conversion Equipment-   80 Charger-   81 AC Cord-   200 Malnutrition Measurement Program-   210 Muscular Volume Measurement Program

1. A bioelectricity impedance measuring device, which comprises: ahousing with a contact surface put to a part of a body; a gripper; anelectrodes from both ends of the gripper with a uniform direction; and amalnutrition measuring method, which measures malnutrition.
 2. Thebioelectricity impedance measuring device according to claim 1, whereinthe electrode provides to be formed a concave with the gripper byprojecting the contact surface from both ends of the gripper to auniform direction.
 3. The bioelectricity impedance measuring deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the malnutrition measuring method is amethod which measures Phase angle theta and/or a RcXc ratio and measuresa nutrient state.
 4. A bioelectricity impedance measuring deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the malnutrition measuring method isprovided with a method to judge a state of malnutrition from a value ofPhase angle theta.
 5. The bioelectricity impedance measuring deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein comprises a method to display a judgedresult with a bar classified by color to a display method.
 6. Abioelectricity impedance measuring device according to claim 1, whereinfurther comprises a muscular volume measuring method which measuresmuscular volume.
 7. The bioelectricity impedance measuring deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the muscular volume measuring method isprovided with data for measurement of muscular volume to a child aged 5and below or an old man aged 60 and over.
 8. The bioelectricityimpedance measuring device according to claim 6, which carries outmeasurement of a nutrient state and/or measurement of muscular volume byindividual parameters with sex and/or height and age.
 9. Abioelectricity impedance measuring device according to claim 1, whereinthe device holds and carries by single hand and measures malnutrition.10. A malnutrition measurement system, comprising: a bioelectricityimpedance measuring device provided with a housing with a contactsurface put to a part of a body, a gripper, an electrode from both endsof the gripper with a uniform direction, and a malnutrition measuringmethod which measures malnutrition; and a computer provided with amemory method which can receive data from the bioelectricity impedancemeasurement device, and can memorize sequential data via communication.11. A malnutrition measuring method, comprising: judging a nutrientstate from Phase angle theta and/or a RcXc ratio with an electricalimpedance measuring device which can be carried; measuring muscularvolume simultaneously; and measuring a state of malnutrition.